After going pointless in his first nine contests, and scoreless in 14 games to start the season, Predators captain Shea Weber now enjoys a three-game goal-scoring streak, including Tuesday’s overtime game winner against Detroit.

“He is a guy who expects a lot from himself. He’s been playing really well without scoring goals, but it is nice to see [him score],” Predators netminder Pekka Rinne said.

Trotz added: “I think for some of these big guys, it takes a little bit to get going. He’s a beast off the ice. He trains very hard off the ice. I think he needs that exhibition season.”

Weber leads the team in shots with 44 shots on goal, despite scoring his first goal of the season just 4 days ago on February 16th in Nashville’s 3-2 shootout loss to Anaheim. Mike Fisher is a distant second with 36 attempts on goal.

“We never have been a high-scoring team. We will always need to have a lot of extra goals from our defensemen, and especially from [Weber],” Rinne said.

In 17 games, eight of Nashville’s 37 tallies have come from the blueline. When 22 percent of goals come from defensemen, it is no wonder that four of Nashville’s defenders are among the top 10 on the team for shots on goal, including Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Kevin Klein.

Two of Nashville’s four goals on the night came from defensemen, with the third goal of the night belonging to Josi. It was his first goal of the season.

Despite the lack of points to start the season, defensively, Weber has remained solid. Leading the team in ice time, averaging 26:17 per game, Weber has 34 hits and 31 blocked shots in 17 games.

“He’s always been rolling. Things haven’t been going in, but he’s been solid back there. He’s playing his game, being physical. Definitely a good leader,” Klein said.

Patric Hornqvist added, “It doesn’t matter if he puts points up. He and Pekka Rinne are our top two players. They have really been going for us lately. It is nice to see them show us the way. It is tough when pucks don’t go in. You start thinking a little too much. He got the first one out of the way, and now he is really hot. I am glad for him, and I am glad for our team.”

Weber has recorded seven points, 3 goals and 4 assists, in his last eight contests including back-to-back multi-point games.

When asked about his goal-scoring streak, the British Columbia native commented on the good play by Colin Wilson that led to the bounce off the board that Weber was able to put into the back of the net, as well as the productivity of the power play.

“Our power play is getting a little bit better, more consistent. That is going to pay off. Hopefully we can get a few more bounces.”